NORMAN, Okla. — Kyler Murray is a starting quarterback again.
The fourth-year junior from Allen, Texas, has won the job this preseason for Sporting News’ fifth-ranked Oklahoma team.
OU announced the news on Wednesday that Murray, who transferred from Texas A&M, will replace 2017 Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield as the Sooners’ starter. Third-year sophomore Austin Kendall will be the backup.
MORE: Oklahoma 2018 lookahead
"Kyler did a really nice job in camp," Riley said in a statement. "It was really a great competition between Austin and him, one that we carried on longer than maybe even we expected because of how well both guys played. There weren't a lot of differentiating factors in the end because both did play so well and so efficiently, but just felt like from an overall perspective that Kyler was just a little bit ahead."
Murray’s unique skill set adds an entirely new dimension to Riley’s innovative offense. Riley has coached prolific passers who could run — Mayfield last year became the first player in FBS history with 14,000 career passing yards and 1,000 career rushing yards as the Sooners led the nation in total offense — but has never had a quarterback as fleet of foot as Murray.
After redshirting the 2016 season as a transfer, the 5-10, 195-pound Murray ran the ball 14 times for 142 yards in 2017, averaging more than 10 yards per carry. But he’s also an adequate thrower, completing 18 of 21 passes ( 85.7 percent) for 359 yards with a long of 87. He had three passing touchdowns and no interceptions.
“I think the things we can do, you can’t put a limit on it. So I’m ready to go,” Murray said in July. “I feel I can do anything on the field.”
In the Sooners’ Red/White Game in the spring — their only public head-to-head competition — Murray completed 11 of 21 passes for 85 yards with 35 yards rushing on nine carries, while Kendall went 11 of 18 for 134 yards with one touchdown and one interception and 32 yards rushing on five carries. The Sooners staged their final preseason scrimmage on Saturday.
MORE: Baseball or football for Murray? A case for each
As a true freshman at Texas A&M in 2015, Murray played in eight games and made three starts. He was second among all Aggie ball-carriers with 335 rushing yards (6.3 per carry), and completed 59.5 percent of his throws (72 of 121) with five touchdowns and seven interceptions.
In his first career start in College Station, Murray hit 20 of 28 passes for 223 yards and rushed 20 times for 156 yards against South Carolina.
Murray said he has changed “a lot” since his days at Texas A&M and has grown as a quarterback under Riley.
“Nobody really understands how much coaching matters,” Murray said. “A&M, it just wasn't the right fit. You can’t really play up to your capabilities if you’re not being coached or you’re (not) in the right system, really. Me and Coach Riley, since I’ve been here, I’ve gained, really, a lot of respect for Coach Riley. I think I’ve progressed well and right now I think I’m playing the best football of my life.”
As a prep star, Murray was a consensus five-star recruit who led Allen High School to 43 consecutive victories and three straight Texas state championships behind 14,500 yards total offense and 186 career touchdowns. He was tabbed national high school player of the year by Parade Magazine, Gatorade, MaxPreps and USA Today. He chose Texas A&M over offers from OU, Oklahoma State, Texas, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Oregon.
Murray also was the first player ever selected to play in the Under Armour All-American Game in both football and baseball.
MORE: Big 12 outlook: Can anyone catch Oklahoma?
Murray, son of record-setting former Texas A&M quarterback Kevin Murray, likely will be the Sooners’ starting quarterback for just one season, as he recently signed a rookie contract with the Oakland A’s that will pay him $4.66 million. The A’s picked Murray No. 9 overall in this year’s Major League Baseball Draft, but he maintains he’s all football at the moment.
“I mean, I wouldn’t be here right now if I wasn’t hungry to play this game,” Murray said. “I think this is the most anticipated football season that I’ve ever been ready for in my life. So I’m ready to go.”
In 51 games with the Sooners last season, Murray batted .296 (56-of-189) with 46 runs, 13 doubles, three triples, 10 home runs, 47 RBIs, a .398 on-base percentage and a .556 slugging percentage. Both Murray and the A’s have said he’ll play only one more football season with the Sooners, though Riley hasn’t closed the door on a 2019 return.
“Right now my focus is playing football and working towards a national championship,” Murray said. “I’ve been doing both my whole life, so shuffling back and forth is obviously something I’ve been doing. But yeah, my focus right now is winning a national championship.”